There's a prospect, mightily painful for both player and his adoring fans, that Monday could be the last time Andy Murray competes on a tennis court. On Friday in Melbourne, the five-time Australian Open runner up fought back the tears as he announced his looming retirement at some stage in 2019 owing to a debilitating hip condition. So expect an almighty response from the Melbourne Park crowd when Murray takes on 22nd seed Roberto Bautista Agut in the Open's first round. Just don't expect a performance worthy of Murray's stature. "I know I've got no chance of winning this tournament and most likely I'm going to lose in the first round," Murray told journalists. "I'm not happy about that. "It's going to be uncomfortable. "If it is my last match, I want to try and enjoy it, enjoy the whole experience which is maybe something during my career that I've not done. "I've always been focused on tactics and winning and finding a way." The 30-year-old Scot says he will assess his future in the sport after the tournament, with a goal of reaching Wimbledon in July for a worthy swansong. On Sunday, defending champions Roger Federer and Caroline Wozniacki added their comments to the many tributes flowing Murray's way. "I was disappointed and sad, a little bit shocked, to know now that we're going to lose him at some point ... I hope that he can play a good Australian Open and he can keep playing beyond that, really finish the way he wants to at Wimbledon," Federer said. Wozniacki thanked the outspoken Murray for his advocacy. "I'm sad on behalf of Andy because Andy is so fun for me to watch. I think he's entertaining. He's such a great athlete. He stood up for us, too. I really appreciate what he's done for women's tennis," she said. If he's to continue on in Melbourne beyond Monday, he'll need to produce a major upset. Bautista Agut defeated Novak Djokovic en route to the Doha title last week and is a sharp favourite for the match, to be played on Melbourne Arena no earlier than 6pm. Australian Associated Press

Murray up for one last Melbourne effort

Andy Murray is gearing up for one more tilt at the Australian Open starting on Monday.

There's a prospect, mightily painful for both player and his adoring fans, that Monday could be the last time Andy Murray competes on a tennis court.

On Friday in Melbourne, the five-time Australian Open runner up fought back the tears as he announced his looming retirement at some stage in 2019 owing to a debilitating hip condition.

So expect an almighty response from the Melbourne Park crowd when Murray takes on 22nd seed Roberto Bautista Agut in the Open's first round.

Just don't expect a performance worthy of Murray's stature.

"I know I've got no chance of winning this tournament and most likely I'm going to lose in the first round," Murray told journalists.

"I'm not happy about that.

"It's going to be uncomfortable.

"If it is my last match, I want to try and enjoy it, enjoy the whole experience which is maybe something during my career that I've not done.

"I've always been focused on tactics and winning and finding a way."

The 30-year-old Scot says he will assess his future in the sport after the tournament, with a goal of reaching Wimbledon in July for a worthy swansong.

On Sunday, defending champions Roger Federer and Caroline Wozniacki added their comments to the many tributes flowing Murray's way.

"I was disappointed and sad, a little bit shocked, to know now that we're going to lose him at some point ... I hope that he can play a good Australian Open and he can keep playing beyond that, really finish the way he wants to at Wimbledon," Federer said.

Wozniacki thanked the outspoken Murray for his advocacy.

"I'm sad on behalf of Andy because Andy is so fun for me to watch. I think he's entertaining. He's such a great athlete. He stood up for us, too. I really appreciate what he's done for women's tennis," she said.

If he's to continue on in Melbourne beyond Monday, he'll need to produce a major upset.

Bautista Agut defeated Novak Djokovic en route to the Doha title last week and is a sharp favourite for the match, to be played on Melbourne Arena no earlier than 6pm.